Bruce Westerman

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 755, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act, which accomplishes the important task of unifying the U.S. Geological Survey's list of critical minerals and the Department of Energy's list of critical materials. The Energy Act of 2020 defined ``critical minerals'' and directed the United States Geological Survey, or USGS, to publish a list of critical minerals every 3 years. The same act directed the Secretary of Energy to develop a critical materials list that includes all of the same minerals on the USGS list but adds: ``any non-fuel mineral, element, substance, or material that the Secretary of Energy determines: (i) has a high risk of supply chain disruption; and (ii) serves an essential function in one or more energy technologies, including technologies that produce, transmit, store, and conserve energy.'' The discrepancies between the lists make it difficult for regulators and producers to determine what emphasis to place on each resource and how to allocate efforts toward resource recovery. Under H.R. 755, each agency would determine what to include in its own list, but a new, combined list called the ``critical minerals and materials list'' would be published by the Department of the Interior. Moving forward, all Federal agencies would be required to use this unified list when administering programs involving critical minerals or critical materials. These changes promote accessibility, clarity, and consistency for regulators, producers, and members of the public. I thank Representative Ciscomani for his work on this important legislation. I support this commonsense bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources chairman.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, back to H.R. 755. This bill will provide the certainty needed to grow domestic production of minerals like lithium, graphite, copper, and many other minerals necessary for the advanced technologies that will ensure national security, energy security, and economic competitiveness. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1945) to designate the America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark, and for other purposes.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1945.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 1945, the America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act, sponsored by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Onder). This bill recognizes a place of global consequence in the heart of small-town America: America's National Churchill Museum at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. On March 6, 1946, on the heels of a devastating world war, Sir Winston Churchill traveled to Fulton to deliver an address that foreshadowed the next stage of America's global conflict against evil. In his now- famous speech, ``Sinews of Peace,'' Churchill warned that an Iron Curtain had descended across Europe and urged a new Western alliance against the aggression of the totalitarian Soviet Union. For five decades, the museum in Fulton has conserved the speech's history and allowed the public to experience that pivotal moment. It is also home to a remarkable structure, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, a 12th century church which was transported from London to Fulton in the 1960s to commemorate Churchill's speech. Today, the entire site serves as a civic center of engagement and educational programming that brings to life the story of Winston Churchill. H.R. 1945 builds on that historic legacy. Representative Onder's bill would designate America's National Churchill Museum as a national historic landmark. In doing so, the museum would be able to enter into cooperative agreements with the National Park Service to protect historic resources and support public programming. This is a simple bill that strengthens stewardship of a unique historical site without adding to the Federal estate. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1945, the America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Onder), the lead sponsor of this bill, a gentleman who cannot only pronounce the Aldermanbury Church correctly but has been to the Aldermanbury Church.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. H.R. 1945 does ensure that America's National Churchill Museum receives recognition equal to its educational impact and importance to 20th century history. Designating the site as a national historic landmark will bring further prominence to the special place and allow future generations of Americans to learn about the moment that marked the start of the Cold War and the legacy of Sir Winston Churchill. I commend Representative Onder for his leadership on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this very important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 681) to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the ``Long-Term Leasing Act''), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material to H.R. 681, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 681, introduced by Representative Keating, would authorize the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, both of Massachusetts, to lease lands held in trust for up to 99 years, subject to approval by the Secretary of the Interior. Congress has long recognized that Tribes need the ability to lease their lands to support housing, commercial activity, and community development. While the Indian Long-Term Leasing Act allows leasing of trust lands, longer lease terms have often required Tribe-specific legislation. Over time, Congress has granted 99-year leasing authority to a number of Tribes to accommodate long-term planning and investment. H.R. 681 simply extends that same authority to these two Tribes in Massachusetts. The bill ensures these Tribes are treated consistently with others that have already received 99-year leasing authority. By providing parity and leasing authority, H.R. 681 supports local economic planning and development and promotes fairness and opportunity for these Tribal communities while maintaining Federal oversight through secretarial approval. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 681, again, provides equal leasing authority to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, aligning them with the other Tribes that have already received 99-year leasing authority from Congress. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 681, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3692) to reauthorize the Young Fishermen's Development Act, as amended.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3692, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3692, the Captain Accursio ``Gus'' Sanfilippo Young Fishermen's Development Act, sponsored by Representative Moulton from Massachusetts. This bill is named after the captain of the Lily Jean, who tragically lost his life, along with six others, when the fishing vessel sank off the coast of Massachusetts in January. Our thoughts are with his family and the families of those who lost their lives in this terrible accident. The Young Fishermen's national competitive grant program supports the training and education of the Nation's next generation of commercial fishermen. This legislation would reauthorize the program through fiscal year 2031, supporting the education of America's future fishermen and a competitive and sustainable American seafood economy. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 3692, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, again, this bill promotes continued investment in both the next generation of American fishermen and the American seafood industry as a whole. I commend my friend, Mr. Moulton, for bringing this forward, and I support this bill, H.R. 3692. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 723) to require the Bureau of Indian Affairs to process and complete all mortgage packages associated with residential and business mortgages on Indian land by certain deadlines, and for other purposes.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 723, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 723, the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Thune, would establish firm timelines for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to review and approve residential and business mortgage applications on Tribal trust land. This bill also increases transparency and accountability in the mortgage review process and modernizes outdated systems that have contributed to delays. Since trust land is held by the United States on behalf of Tribes and Tribal members, mortgages on that land require approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs before they can close. While current law provides review timelines for certain leaseholds and rights-of-way mortgages, there is no statutory deadline for trust land mortgages. As a result, applicants and lenders have faced prolonged uncertainty. Reports have highlighted cases in which borrowers waited more than 1 year for their required title status reports, creating significant barriers to homeownership and business development in Indian Country. These delays can discourage lenders and limit access to capital in communities that already face housing shortages and economic challenges. S. 723 addresses these concerns by setting enforceable timelines for BIA review, requiring notice to lenders and a report to Congress, supporting the digitization of records, improving access to information, and creating a realty ombudsman to help resolve issues. By reducing delay and uncertainty, this bill makes it easier for Tribes and Tribal members to secure financing for homes and businesses. I commend Senator Thune and Representative Dusty Johnson for their leadership on this issue and for working to improve housing and economic opportunity in Indian Country. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson), the lead sponsor of the House companion to this bill.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, S. 723 promotes certainty, accountability, and transparency in the trust land mortgage process. By establishing clear timelines and modernizing mortgage administration, the bill removes unnecessary barriers to homeownership and business development for Tribal communities. I thank my colleague from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) for leading the House companion to this legislation and the entire South Dakota delegation for their coordinated effort on this important issue. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of S. 723, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. WESTERMAN

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4386) to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to clarify entrance privileges for vehicles with respect to the America the Beautiful interagency pass, as amended.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4386, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Chairman Walberg's America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act, a commonsense bill that restores fairness and clarity for the millions of Americans who travel to our national parks and public lands every year by motorcycle. For years, annual entrance passes to our national parks allowed entry for one vehicle and its passengers or, for motorcycles, two bikes traveling together. This arrangement was practical, predictable, and reflected how riders actually experience our Federal lands. Yet in 2024, the Biden administration unilaterally reversed that longstanding policy and restricted coverage to just one motorcycle per pass. This placed unnecessary financial burdens on riders, discouraging motorcyclists from recreating on public lands, while offering no benefit to park operations. This change also hurt gateway communities, as motorcycle tourism is a key driver of many small, rural economies. Last year, President Trump and Secretary Burgum overturned this decision, restoring access to two motorcycles per entrance pass ahead of our Nation's 250th anniversary celebrations this year. This bill simply codifies that decision and restores what worked. By permanently codifying the traditional two-motorcycles-per-pass standard, the legislation ensures parity for motorcyclists and restores long-term affordable access to our Nation's most iconic landscapes. In doing so, this bill directly supports the goals of President Trump's executive orders on celebrating America's 250th birthday and making America beautiful again by improving our national parks. Keeping our parks welcoming and accessible while improving the visitor experience should be a goal that we all strive for. Mr. Speaker, I commend Chairman Walberg for his hard work on this America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC, December 5, 2025. Hon. Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual understanding regarding H.R. 4386, ``To amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to clarify entrance privileges for vehicles with respect to the America the Beautiful interagency pass.'' Thank you for collaborating with the Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our jurisdiction. The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over any subject matter contained in this or similar legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees, should it become necessary, and ask that you support such a request. We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 4386 and request a copy of our letters on this matter be published in the Congressional Record during Floor consideration. Sincerely, Glenn ``GT'' Thompson, Chairman.